Schaltung

Schaltung is a German noun with several related meanings used in technical contexts. It denotes the arrangement of components that produces a function within a system, especially in electronics and mechanics. In electronics, a Schaltung refers to an electrical circuit or wiring network—the interconnection of components such as resistors, capacitors, transistors, and interconnects that forms a functional unit. The term is commonly paired with Schaltplan (schematic diagram) and Schaltkreis (circuit), with the latter sometimes used to emphasize the physical realization of a circuit rather than the abstract design.

Engineers classify Schaltungen by topology and function, and they analyze behavior through Schaltungsanalyse. Typical categories include series and parallel connections, mixed topologies, and amplifying or switching configurations. Components may be passive or active, and the design often aims at signal processing, power handling, or control.

In mechanical engineering and everyday language, Schaltung also describes a gear transmission or the act of shifting gears. In motor vehicles, automatic or manual Schaltung refers to the arrangement of gears and the mechanism for selecting them. The term can also denote a switching arrangement that connects or disconnects parts of a system, such as relay networks or control routes.

The word derives from the verb schalten, meaning to switch, connect, or arrange. In German-language technical literature, Schaltung is used alongside Schaltkreis, Schaltplan, Verschaltung, and related terms, each with subtle contextual emphasis.